Throw-away flashlight

ABSTRACT

The case of the flashlight comprises a paper shell within a metal tube. At one end is a metal ferrule having a peripheral flange which is trapped between the crimped end of the tube and the shell. This ferrule holds a light bulb. At the other end is a second metal ferrule also having a peripheral flange trapped between the crimped end of the tube and the shell. A metal plunger extending through the latter ferrule is resiliently held away from the dry batteries within the tube by a plastic spring. When the plunger is pushed against the adjacent end of the dry cells an electrical circuit is completed to light the light.

United States Patent 91 UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1939 Gelardin 240/l0.68 7/l94l Gelardin 240/l0.68 X

Recker 240/l0.68

Strauss June 26, 1973 [54] THROW-AWAY FLASHLIGHT 2,666,894 1/1954 Babernitsh 240110.68 X

[75] inventor. lsluward J. Strauss, Bloommgton, Primary Examiner joseph F. Peters Jr. Attorney-Howard H. Darbo et al. [73] Assignee: Gould 1110., Mendota Heights, Minn. 22 Filed: May is, 1972 [571 ABSTRACT The case of the flashlight comprises a paper shell within {21] Appl- 252,977 a metal tube. At one end is a metal ferrule having a pcripheral flange which is trapped between the crimped 52 us. Cl 240/10.68, 240/2 s end of the tube and the shell- This ferrule holds a light [51] Int. Cl M" 7/00 .bulbthe other end is a second metal ferrule 58 Field of Search 240/l0.6, 10.66, having a peripheral flange trapped between the 240M053, R, 2 S crimped-end of the tube and the shell. A metal plunger extending through the latter ferrule is resiliently held 5 References Cited away from the dry batteries within the tube by a plastic spring. When the plunger is pushed against the adjacent end of the dry cells an electrical circuit is completed to light the light.

5 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure THROW-AWAY FLASHLIGIIT SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an inexpensive form of flashlight having non-replaceable batteries.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The drawing is a longitudinal cross-section of an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT The following disclosure is offered for public dissemination in return for the grant of a patent. Although it is detailed to ensure adequacy and aid understanding, this is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how others may later disguise it by variations in form or additions or further improvements.

The flashlight comprises a case, generally 10, having a light bulb, generally 11, at one end thereof and a switch, generally 12, at the other end. Within the case are two dry cells 13. As is conventional, the dry cells have a zinc can 14 which forms the anode and the cathode is electrically tied to a projecting contact 15. The light bulb 11 is a conventional lens-front bulb and has a projecting contact 16 and circumferential contact 17.

The case includes an extruded aluminum tube 20 within which is a sleeve or shell 21 of insulating material, in this case a spiral-wound paper tube. This prevents a short between the exposed zinc cans l4 and the tube 20. At the lens end is a metallic ferrule 22. This ferrule has an opening 23 through which the lens of the bulb 11 projects and it has a peripheral flange 24 which is trapped between the'crimpedend 25 of the tube 20 and the end of the sleeve 21. The eyelet contacts the base terminal 17 of the bulb.

At the other end is a ferrule 27 having an opening 28 and a peripheral flange 29. Again, the flange is trapped between the crimped end 30 of the tube 20 and the adjacent end of the sleeve 21. A metal plunger 32 extends through opening 28. The plunger has an abutment 33 to prevent it from completely coming out through the opening. A coil spring 34 of plastic material has one end bearing against the adjacent end of can 14 and the other end against abutment 33 on theplunger. This spring (a) holds the adjacent end of the battery can 14 away from the ferrule 27, (b) holds terminal of the adjacent battery against the can 14 of the next battery and the terminal 15 of the next battery against the center terminal 16 of the bulb and (c) normally holds the plunger 32 away from the can 14 of the adjacent batter When the plunger 32 is pressed inwardly and brought into contact with the end of adjacent can 14, an electrical circuit is formed from that can through the plunger, the ferrule 27, the tube 20, the ferrule 22, the base terminal l7 and then from the center terminal 16 of the bulb back through the batteries. The power from the batteries will flow through the bulb and light the bulb. When plunger 32 is released, the spring 34 returns it to the position illustrated and the electrical circuit is broken at the gap between the plunger and the adjacent can 14.

To those familiar with manufacturing procedures, it will be readily apparent that the construction is such that these flashlights can be manufactured very inexpensively. The battery cells 13 are bare cells and do not even require the insulator normally positioned about electric dry batteries. The ferrules can be formed very inexpensively on an eyelet forming machine. The plungers can be made on a screw machine. The assembly of the components is exceedingly uncomplicated. The sleeve and the batteries are put into the tube 20. The bulb is put into the ferrule 22. The plunger and spring are put into ferrule 27. Then the two ferrules are put into the respective ends of the tube 20 and pressed against. the ends of the sleeve 21. While being so held, the ends 25 and 30 of the tube are crimped over against the respective flanges 24 and 29 to hold the assembly together. Not only is this a simple and inexpensive construction, but it also forms a very sturdy flashlight assembly.

I claim: a

1. In a flashlight comprising an elongated outer case holding a dry cell battery and a light bulb at one end of the case, said bulb having two connections,

said case comprising a metal tube, a ferrule having an opening therein and a flange about one end thereof, said opening being of a size to permit a portion only of said bulb to project therethrough,

and'closure means having a peripheral flange, said ferrule being at one end of said tube and said closure means being at the other end of the tube, said flanges being positioned in juxtaposition to said tube with the tube being permanently crimped over the flanges to prevent them from separating from the tube; and including first means at said one end of the tube to provide an electrical conduit between said one end of the tube and one of the connections on the bulb; and second means at said other end of the tube to provide an electrical conduit between said other end of the tube and the battery; one of said means being openable to selectively make and break the respective conduit. 2. In a flashlight as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ferrule is formed of metal and forms said first means, said closure means being a second metal ferrule having an opening therethrough, said second means including said second ferrule, said case including an annular shell of insulating material within said tube, said flanges seating against the ends of said shell.

3. In a flashlight comprising a metal tubular case containing a dry cell battery insulated from said case and having end terminals, a light bulb permanently mounted at one end of said case with one terminal in contact with a terminal of the battery and the other bulb terminal connected with the metal case, and switching means including a metal plunger mounted at the other end of the case and electrically connected therewith; the improvement which comprises resilient non-conductive means for normally holding the plunger out of contact with the terminal of the battery and permitting such contact when the plunger is pushed inwardly to close the bulb circuit.

4. Structure in accordance with claim 3 wherein the resilient non-conductive means comprises a coil spring of plastic composition arranged in compression between the battery and the plunger.-

5. A flashlight comprising a metal tubular case, a non-conductive tube interiorly adjacent to said case, a dry battery having end terminals within said tube, a

light bulb arranged at one end of said case, said bulb ing in said second ferrule and having an abutment on the portion thereof within said ferrule, and a plastic coil spring arranged in compression between said abutment and said battery, said spring holding said battery in contact with said bulb and normally holding said plunger out of contact with said battery but permitting such contact when said plunger is pushed in to engage the battery and thus close the bulb circuit.

* I I? i 

1. In a flashlight comprising an elongated outer case holding a dry cell battery and a light bulb at one end of the case, said bulb having two connections, said case comprising a metal tube, a ferrule having an opening therein and a flange about one end thereof, said opening being of a size to permit a portion only of said bulb to project therethrough, and closure means having a peripheral flange, said ferrule being at one end of said tube and said closure means being at the other end of the tube, said flanges being positioned in juxtaposition to said tube with the tube being permanently crimped over the flanges to prevent them from separating from the tube; and including first means at said one end of the tube to provide an electrical conduit between said one end of the tube and one of the connections on the bulb; and second means at said other end of the tube to provide an electrical conduit between said other end of the tube and the battery; one of said means being openable to selectively make and break the respective conduit.
 2. In a flashlight as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ferrule is formed of metal and forms said first means, said closure means being a second metal ferrule having an opening therethrough, said second means including said second ferrule, said case including an annular shell of insulating material within said tube, said flanges seating against the ends of said shell.
 3. In a flashlight comprising a metal tubular case containing a dry cell battery insulated from said case and having end terminals, a light bulb permanently mounted at one end of said case with one terminal in contact with a terminal of the battery and the other bulb terminal connected with the metal case, and switching means including a metal plunger mounted at the other end of the case and electrically connected therewith; the improvement which comprises resilient non-conductive means for normally holding the plunger out of contact with the terminal of the battery and permitting such contact when the plunger is pushed inwardly to close the bulb circuit.
 4. Structure in accordance with claim 3 wherein the resilient non-conductive means comprises a coil spring of plastic composition arranged in compression between the battery and the plunger.
 5. A flashlight comprising a metal tubular case, a non-conductive tube interiorly adjacent to said case, a dry battery having end terminals within said tube, a light bulb arranged at one end of said case, said bulb having a base terminal and a center terminal, a metal ferrule surroundingly engaging the base of said bulb and having an opening therein through which said bulb projects, said ferrule having a peripheral flange at its base clamped between the end of said non-conductive tube and the crimped over end of said case, a second metal ferrule having a cEntral opening therein and a peripheral flange clamped between the other end of said non-conductive tube and the crimped over other end of said case, a metal plunger extending through the opening in said second ferrule and having an abutment on the portion thereof within said ferrule, and a plastic coil spring arranged in compression between said abutment and said battery, said spring holding said battery in contact with said bulb and normally holding said plunger out of contact with said battery but permitting such contact when said plunger is pushed in to engage the battery and thus close the bulb circuit. 